Executive car · 2001–2021 cars
Volvo V60 reliability
The Volvo V60 fails 21.6% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 114,035 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo V60 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 21.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 114,035
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo V60 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo V60s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo V60 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 20.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 20.7% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 25.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 28.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 29.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 31.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 30.3% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo V60 years
2013 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 989 | 9.2% | 32% fewer fails | 33,979 |
| 2020 V60 | 4,952 | 12.3% | 11% fewer fails | 34,006 |
| 2019 V60 | 12,806 | 13.8% | 10% fewer fails | 40,950 |
| 2018 V60 | 12,604 | 14.8% | 10% fewer fails | 45,271 |
| 2017 V60 | 10,213 | 19.2% | 3% fewer fails | 60,561 |
| 2016 V60 | 12,044 | 19.8% | 14% fewer fails | 71,356 |
| 2015 V60 | 10,611 | 21.1% | 21% fewer fails | 81,230 |
| 2014 V60 | 12,131 | 24.3% | 20% fewer fails | 96,474 |
| 2013 V60 | 12,203 | 25.2% | 25% fewer fails | 103,869 |
| 2012 V60 | 15,811 | 30.6% | 16% fewer fails | 109,475 |
| 2011 V60 | 8,833 | 29.9% | 22% fewer fails | 115,389 |
| 2010 | 829 | 29.9% | 25% fewer fails | 112,073 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo V60
Its weak spot is steering: 26% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres8%20% above avg
- Brakes5%13% below avg
- Lights and electrics4.9%49% below avg
- Suspension3.3%55% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.8%32% below avg
- Steering1.9%26% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.7%33% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.1%54% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%22% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.27% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.22% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.7% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.18% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 0.93% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 7
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 0.88% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.76% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo V60's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.57%
- Brake pads wearing thin10.26%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.07%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.54%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion3.33%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.5%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo V60
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo V60 covers about 10,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel83.7%
- Petrol12%
- Hybrid4.3%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Blue, Silver, White
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo V60 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 6 Series | 18.6% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus IS | 22.6% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS | 24% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V60 | 21.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK | 36.7% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V70 | 36.2% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar X-Type | 41.8% | about average for its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo V60 questions, answered
Is the Volvo V60 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo V60 is better than average: it fails 21.6% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 32 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo V60 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo V60 are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.27% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.22% of tests). By area, tyres fails 8% of its tests.
Which Volvo V60 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo V60 do a year?
A typical Volvo V60 covers about 10,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volvo V60 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a Volvo V60? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.